We know that the Book of Revelation features a number of groupings or categories consisting of seven items, like the seven assemblies, the seven messengers, the seven seals, the seven seven trumpets, the seven bowls, etc. Against this background it is quite significant to notice that the entire Book of Revelation reveals a symmetric structure, built around certain words (or groups of words). This may be seen in the following diagram:
1 … Rev 1:1 … The servants of Y’shua Messiah (1st verse of Rev)
2 … Rev 1:2 … Witness of the Word of Elohim (2nd verse of Rev)
3 … Rev 1:3 … Words written (grapho – see Note 1) in this Book (3rd verse of Rev)
4 … THE ACTUAL WORDS OF THE BOOK (Rev 1:4 – Rev 22:18 – see Note 2)
5 … Rev 22:19 … Words written (grapho – see Note 1) in this Book (3rd last verse of Rev)
6 … Rev 22:20 … Witness of the Word of Elohim (2nd last verse of Rev)
7 … Rev 22:21 … The set-apart ones of Y’shua Messiah (last verse of Rev)
Note 1: grapho = to engrave or to inscribe letters or signs on something or someone.
Note 2: Among these words we find …
- The text of Rev 9:4 (And it was said to them that they shall not harm the grass of the earth, or any green matter, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of Elohim upon their foreheads).
- A number of verses (8 in total) referring to the people of this world having received the mark of the beast.
- SEVEN places where the words “grapho” and “sphragidzo” are used to refer to a mark or a Name put on those who follow Elohim: 3:12; 7:3; 7:4 (TWICE); 14:1; 19:12; 19:16.
Add to this evidence the fact that FOUR TIMES in the Tanach (twice in Shemot 31 and twice in Yechezkel 20) the Shabbat is called a mark or a sign that needs to be “put” upon the followers of Yahweh. This brings us to the conclusion that the true followers of Yahweh are not required to mark themselves visibly (with a cross, or an angel, or any other humanly devised mark) in order to show their dedication to the Almighty. Instead, they are only required to obey Yahweh, receive his Words and honour his Name and the Name of his Son. These (the Shabbat, the Torah, the Name) are the kind of “signs” or “marks” that YAHWEH Himself will put upon his set-apart ones and that will make them stand out clearly in the difficult times that lie ahead.
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